She has a basic line, featuring both pants and tops that are made locally in Los Angeles, and a hand made pima cotton line that includes handmade dresses, sweaters and shirts made in Peru and Bolivia. She sources from places where she grew up and where her original family is from.

Visiting Bolivia ever since she was a young girl, Arze grew up seeing the craftsmanship and artist communities that thrive there. She wanted to help artisans grow in business, and that is how this particular line started.

Arze’s line is dedicated ethical sourcing. It began when she watched the movie Earthlings, whichshowed the horrors of animal cruelty. “This had a profound impact on my friends and I,” she said. “The film deals with the suffering of animals and how we as a society use them without any concern of the fact that they are sentient beings. The film brings to the forefront the absolute cruelty involved in mass production of food, enslavement of animals in zoos and circuses, the fur and leather industry in fashion, and more.”

From there she began consuming foods, fashion and all things as much as possible in a more conscious way. She uses the beautiful pima cotton, which is hand harvested in Peru and also Alpaca, and is both sourced from Bolivia and Peru. There is no harm done to the animals and they are a part of the communities as well as the families of the artists who live there.

What’s fascinating about Anita is that she uses organic cotton. She found out from health expert David Wolfe who said that “pesticide residues can remain on processed fiber clothing, including cotton. When you sweat in those types clothes the chemicals can be absorbed directly into the skin.” So Anita took this to heart and chooses to go organic even with her clothes.

Every piece is comfortable, chic and consciously made. You can be proud of what you are wearing and still feel sexy throughout your day. “You could get up, go to yoga, then to a business meeting and then to dinner. All you had to do was change your shoes and jewelry”.

By Beth Doane, Features Editor

Chivas Skin Care is a boutique skin care company specializing in handcrafted bar soaps made with fresh goat milk

Owned by mother and daughter partners, Donna Johanson and Lauren Johanson, Chivas Skin Care prides itself on using high-quality, natural ingredients such as pure essential oils, fair trade shea butter, and, most importantly, fresh goat milk from the Johanson’s family goat farm located just north of Los Angeles. In addition to bar soaps, Chivas Skin Care now offers a full skin care line including an eye cream, moisturizer and lip balm, as well as body products such as goat milk lotion.

By Wendy Wilkinson, Contributing Editor

Opening night guests enjoy a soak in the mineral pool

The long-awaited opening of the SunWater Spa and Wellness Center took place on Friday, August 14.

Dozens of Spa and wellness seekers soaked in the heated mineral springs water that has made the town a health seekers retreat for more than 150 years; and where indigenous peoples and animals have experienced their curative properties for several thousand years. The kick-off evening featured Heart of the Lion, a New Moon Yoga and Ceremony, purification meditation and soaking. Featuring individual water therapies, Vichy shower, and a mudroom with personalized mineral and essential oil infusions, SunWater Spa offers three floors of restorative mineral soaking tubs.

Enjoying an outdoor massage with the view of Pikes Peak

The unique Spa is nestled in the historic mountain town of Manitou Springs, CO, with views of the Granddaddy of them all, Pikes Peak. SunWater offers both traditional and more contemporary forms of Yoga, aerobic movement, and other bodywork in saline pools and tubs. Meditation, dance and tai chi classes will take place in and out of the water. SunWater also boasts soaks subtle yet vibrant colors, textures and other features throughout the Spa, including murtis (sacred statues), represent the treatments and classes ready to experience there.

In addition to the therapeutic soaking, SunWater also captures the mineral water from the thirteen mineral springs around the historic town; infusing the fresh mineral water with such natural flavors as watermelon and ginger, serving complimentary tastes throughout the day.

Inspired by a trip to India, where they bathed in the Ganges River with millions of others during a ceremony to cleanse the spirit, collaborators Kat Tudor and Don Goede were drawn to create a healing arts space revolving around the magical waters of Manitou. Kat’s understanding of the universal restorative healing powers of water and its sacred place in all cultures is at the core of the duo’s vision. As Creative Director, Tudor has developed a unique style of Aqua Yoga, which she has been teaching for 10 years. She is also currently working on bringing Thai Yoga therapy into water. Tudor has studied around the world and is certified in Atma Yoga (soul immersion and holistic training), has a 200-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher certificate from Shambhava School of Yoga, and has trained with Saul David Raye as a Thai Yoga Therapist

Creative Director and Co-Owner Kat Tudor teaching yoga

SunWater also offers more than a dozen different Yoga and movement classes ranging from gentle Restorative Yoga, geared towards healing the whole being to the more energy infused M.E.L.T. METHOD, and the more traditional Pilates class. Other treatments offered include such indigenous and natural Facials as the Tea Tree Purifying treatment, which uses tea tree oil, and the Warrior designed for the unique needs of men’s skin. Clients can experience a Desert Glow Vichy with prickly pear cactus oil and a body polish of pure cane sugar; or Inner Peace, a Thai yoga massage rooted in the Indian healing traditions of Ayurvedic medicine, dating back 2500 years; along with Watsu, a deeply relaxing form of aquatic therapy.

By Jillian Baumgartner, Contributing Editor

I am constantly looking for the next best thing in skincare, and I’m fully satisfied with this miracle potion. Inconsistency in skin condition can be frustrating, and Renū KPS keeps your skin looking radiant on a daily bases.

Consisting of argon, coconut, and olive oils, the orange-tinted product has a distinct botanical smell that invigorates the senses. Less is more, and a dime sized dollop thoroughly covers your needs. The texture is smooth and the cream is light weight. Effective as a serum and a moisturizer in one, my skincare routine has simplified since I started using Keeki’s Renū cream.

After suffering from hormonal acne, I have dealt with the emotional repercussions that it produces. Renū KPS cream has made a tremendous progression in fading these unfortunate reminders off of my face. Within a week, areas around my scars have started to lighten and literally peel off. The cream regenerates new skin, making your face glow and appear supple and hydrated.

Inflammation and redness are extremely difficult areas to tackle when it comes to skin care. After applying KPS for a week, I noticed that my face was less swollen and that my overall complexion was normalizing. The redness was also finally going away after daily application of the serum. I also wake up in the morning with more rested, rejuvenated skin. The texture of my face is softer, which allows for easier makeup application. Made up of organic oils, Renū is safe for children, pregnant women, and cancer patients, and does not leave you reading every ingredient wondering what you are really putting on your skin.

By Nichola Zed, Travel Editor

For the pampering of a lifetime, head to the southern cape of Western Australia to the heart of the Margaret River wine and surfing region and the Injidup Spa Retreat.

Injidup Spa Retreat deftly combines sophistication and luxury with casual comfort, while paying homage to the surrounding national parkland and some of the best coastal views in the country. This retreat is nestled inconspicuously on the edge of national parkland and has majestic views to the Indian Ocean, the environmental and visual impact of the building design is discreet and there is a seamless interaction between each of the ten villas and the private day spa. The build had minimal impact on the existing landscape and all of the materials were sourced locally. Privacy and tranquility are paramount; the retreat is managed by the myhotel group, and has global prestige being a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

By Caitlin Hamilton, Contributing Editor

Volunteers can live and work within the breath-taking Cloud Forest national park of Honduras, aiding the conservation organization, Operation Wallacea, to document the flora and fauna health of the Central American rainforest.

The forest itself covers over 250 square kilometers of rugged terrain, over two-thirds of which boast slopes of over 60 degrees in angle. The incredibly high precipitation levels means that the forest is lush and green, which makes it a haven for both flora and fauna species.

Contributing to a long-term dataset, the data collected by the volunteers adds to the understanding of how factors such as human activity and global warming are affecting the biological landscape of the park. Illegal deforestation is an issue in Honduras, with many locals felling large areas of forest to farm and harvest crops. Although there is a military presence within the rainforest in attempts to quash the illegal activity, the effects are pronounced.

By removing and damaging the life blood of a forest—its trees—species will falter and die out at an alarming and irreversible rate. That is why organizations like Operation Wallacea appreciate the importance of involving local communities in conservation efforts. By explaining the consequences of human actions upon an ecosystem, local communities are provided with the tools to make better-informed decisions in the future.

Volunteers experience close interaction with local Hondurans, whether at meals, guiding them through the dense forest canopies, or effortlessly identifying the species that the volunteers are studying. One of the initiatives in the Cloud Forest was the implementation of cocoa farming. A less intrusive way to make a living, the local farmers were introduced to the concept that cocoa trees can be planted and harvested successfully under the existing forest canopy.

Although a modest venture, the initiative to involve locals in understanding the responsibly of caring for the home environment is of pivotal importance in a conservation effort. The work done by Operation Wallacea, and organizations like it, is innovative and smart—and it is appearing to be making a real difference.

By Beth Doane, Features Editor

The ethical line is based in San Francisco but handmade in the Peruvian highlands using ancient knitting traditions and donates a portion of proceeds to The Mirasol Project, a boarding school founded in 2006 in the remote region of Puno, Peru, for the children of alpaca shepherds.

By Beth Doane, Features Editor

Based in Denver, CO, Mineral Fusion™ launched in 2006, and has become one of our favorite natural cosmetics and personal care brands.

We love that they offer an innovative collection of antioxidant-enhanced, mineral-rich cosmetics, for hair, nails and skin. Their nail care line contains ingredients that deliver wide-ranging benefits of minerals to revitalize, nourish and protect. All of the products within the Mineral Fusion portfolio are safe for all skin types, eco-friendly and free of gluten, parabens, SLS, phthalates, artificial colors and synthetic fragrances.

By Jillian Baumgartner, Contributing Editor

Gwyneth Paltrow is on a mission to prevent GMO’s from entering our homes. We were impressed with her public attempt to “eat clean” on food stamps a few months ago, and now Paltrow is moving forward with her mission to keep our food clean and free of chemicals.

As an advocate of the the “Just Label It!” campaign, Paltrow’s vision is for America’s major food companies to have complete transparency. She and other ambassadors from the “Just Label It!” campaign showed up in Washington, D.C. in August, to lobby against the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015. Paltrow is part of the battle to ensure the proper labeling of genetically modified food in attempt to educate families nationwide on what they are ingesting.

Paltrow has been very vocal on the issue and empathizes with the citizens of the United States on a personal level. She is adamant that Americans must be given the opportunity to make appropriate food choices with GMO labeling, and speaks from a mother’s perspective, connecting with families on a level beyond her celebrity.

Creator of the health and lifestyle website, Goop, she is persistent in her beliefs and practices what she preaches–feeding herself and her family a clean, organic, GMO-free diet. Overall, Paltrow’s actions reflect a necessary stride in preventative healthcare. Regardless of Congress’ decision, the word is spreading, and her voice resonates.